The modern, yet tranquil setting at the Hoopenburg homestead introduces a new era in its history with a new look and the opening of an art gallery in the wine tasting centre.

The doors to the new art centre opened on Thursday 7 April with an exhibition of paintings by Jan Wolmarans. The painter now lives in Paarl after a short stint in Johannesburg during which he took part in TV productions like Die Casper Rasper Show and Blikskottel. Wolmarans freelanced for many years as a journalist, copywriter and marionette manipulator, but is probably better remembered as the owner of the late night restaurant, Rockspider’s Opera in Sea Point. He now paints fulltime, playing actor on the side.

The works introduced at Hoopenburg are rich in colour and dynamics, even in still life paintings focused on a sense of calm or nostalgia. Viewers often comment on the energy of the work, a feeling of new life on the verge of bursting into being – even in paintings of a melancholy nature. The exhibition has no specific theme, but what does unify the diversity of the work, apart from an energy of texture and bright colour, is a dynamic interaction between a fading old world and the freshness of new life.

This picturesque boutique wine farm situated in the prestigious greater Simonsberg region has in the past year not only launched a newly revamped label into the marketplace, but also taken on a new winemaker, in the form of Neil Hawkins. Neil recently took charge of this 250 ton cellar, after gaining experience in New Zealand and France in 2004. The challenging 2005 vintage will be his maiden for the Hoopenburg cellar, and with new open-air fermentation tanks, a new state-of-the-art press, as well as first time ever suckered (shoot thinning) vineyards, the anticipation is high for already bold looking infant wines from this year.

New releases to look forward to are a white blend of Chardonnay & Pinot Noir (already made), as well as a possible first Noble Botrytis wine coming from some Chardonnay grapes still hanging in the vineyard.

This exhibition runs until 7 May. Photographs of the paintings are available.

Hoopenburg has taken on a partnership with De Kraal Art Gallery & Studio to be hosting more of their exciting local artists on an ongoing basis.